The Seafarer's Kiss

The Seafarer's Kiss is a YA fantasy novel that reimagines The Little Mermaid through a Norse mythology lens. This retelling follows Ersel, a mermaid living beneath the ice in the frozen Arctic seas. At age nineteen, Ersel faces pressure to choose a mate and start a family, as is expected of all mermaids in her society. Her encounter with a shield-maiden named Ragna, who is stranded on the ice above, presents her with glimpses of a different possible future. When Ersel seeks help from Loki, the Norse trickster god, she becomes entangled in a bargain that forces her to make difficult choices about loyalty, love, and her own identity. The story incorporates elements of Norse mythology while exploring themes of independence and self-determination. The novel addresses questions of gender roles and societal expectations through its Arctic fantasy setting, while examining how individuals navigate between duty and personal freedom. These themes parallel the physical constraints of living beneath the ice versus the dangerous but liberating world above.

Readers appreciate this queer retelling of The Little Mermaid for its Norse mythology elements and LGBTQ+ representation. Many note the strong world-building and unique take on merfolk society. Several reviews highlight the complex relationship dynamics and portrayal of plus-size characters. Common criticisms focus on pacing issues, with some readers finding the plot slow in the middle sections. Multiple reviews mention wanting more development of secondary characters and feeling the romance felt rushed. Some readers struggled with the main character's decisions and personality. "The Norse mythology integration was seamless but the romantic connection needed more time to develop," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (150+ ratings) Reviews frequently compare it to other YA fantasy novels featuring merpeople, with readers split on whether this darker take on the source material succeeds or falls short.

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🌊 Author Julia Ember drew inspiration from Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid," but deliberately crafted her story to challenge and subvert many of the original tale's themes about feminine silence and sacrifice. ⚔️ The book incorporates elements of Norse mythology, particularly the figure of Loki, who appears as a significant character and brings their classic trickster energy to the narrative. 🏳️‍🌈 The story features a bisexual protagonist, making it one of the few YA fantasy novels to explore LGBTQ+ themes within a Norse mythology-inspired setting. ❄️ The book's setting in the frozen North was influenced by the author's time living in Scotland and her fascination with Norse culture and mythology. 🗣️ The author chose to write the story from a first-person perspective to give direct voice to her mermaid protagonist, in contrast to the voiceless mermaid of the original fairy tale.